Success in Challenges is a six week summer reading enrichment program that is part of the national Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools Program. The program provides quality out-of-school time enrichment for children ages 6-16 that boosts motivation to read, develops positive attitudes toward learning, cultivates self-esteem and connects the needs of families to local resources.

The core belief of this instructional model is that all children are capable of achieving. There are five components to the Freedom School Model: high quality literacy enrichment, parent and family involvement, civic engagement and social action, intergenerational leadership development and health, mental health and nutrition.

The Integrated Reading Curriculum engages children in books and activities that celebrate a wide variety of cultures and focus on the theme, “I Can Make a Difference in Myself and in My Family, Community, Country, and World with Hope, Education and Action.”

The instructors or Servant Leader Interns (as they are called) are college students who are trained for one week by the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools Ella Baker Policy Training Institute at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. Servant Leader Interns use the Integrated Reading Curriculum to promote critical and analytical thinking and conflict resolution skills and to introduce children to a superb collection of books reflecting their own images.

The afternoon activities allow children the opportunity to explore their interests in music, the arts, community service, social action and other developmental activities.